Posts Tagged ‘Gérard Depardieu’

Dominique Strauss-Kahn is to sue for defamation the makers of Welcome to New York – the scandal-struck film that is the talk of the Cannes festival – saying it contains “accusations of rape”.

The disgraced former International Monetary Fund chief’s lawyer has apparently not seen the film, which comes with a legal disclaimer but whose main character – played by Gérard Depardieu – has undeniable parallels with DSK, as he is known.

However, Jean Veil, his lawyer, told Europe1 radio on Monday that his client was “disgusted” by the movie and had asked him to file a complaint for defamation because of “the accusations and insinuations of rape throughout the film”.

Describing it as “intolerable” Mr Veil said: “We have the right to fiction, but not the right to accuse.

*” in recent years, Depardieu has attracted attention from the media and legal authorities for his behaviour In August 2012, he was accused of assault and battery for punching a motorist in Paris.[12] In November 2012, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated after he fell from his scooter, and was found to have a blood alcohol level of 1.8 grams per litre, well above the French limit for driving of 0.5.[13]

He has been an official resident of Néchin, Belgium since 7 December 2012.[14] French prime minister Jean-Marc Ayraultcriticised his move.[15] On 15 December 2012, Depardieu publicly stated he was handing back his French passport.[16][17]

On 3 January 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an Executive Order granting Russian citizenship to Depardieu.[18] In his first interview thereafter, Depardieu attacked Putin’s critics.” (Wikipedia)

Gérard Depardieu, one of the best-paid French cinema actors, now lives in Belgium in the village of Néchin, near the French border.

This place, it is said, has all the charms and cultural attractions of a South Essex hamlet.

The Bourgmestre (Mayor), Daniel Senesael, openly admits the new resident is there for financial reasons.

That is, to avoid French taxes and benefit from a more favourable regime that the wealthy (and only them) enjoy in Belgium.

27% of the village’s inhabitants are ‘tax exiles’.

Earlier this year, when he was not pissing himself on planes, Depardieu, gave his public backing to Nicolas Sarkozy.

At a public rally with the Presidential candidate at Villepinte he said,

“Since my friend Nicolas Sarkozy came to power, I only hear bad things about this man who does nothing but good,”

Libération reports, that the French left has taken a serious dislike to the man once proud of his working class roots.

“Minister Benoît Hamon has said that Depardieu has decided to avoid paying his due in a time of economic crisis. That is “anti-patriotic”. “

The PCF has compared him to a miser.

“It’s shameful” says Nathalie Arthaud, of Lutte Ouvrière. “It doesn’t surprise me, when somebody gets millions every year to get tired of paying tax. Meanwhile workers, those on the minimum wage, the unemployed, they have to.” She called for a crack down on tax evasion.

On France-Interthis morning there were strong suggestions that the French state will not take Depardieu’s efforts to avoid giving something back for the money he makes from the country lightly.

They will be watching his every move for ways to get him to pay up.

Meanwhile we support this: Boycott every film Gérard makes!

What of Depardieu’s future?

We imagine him, in his Néchin Mansion.

Dressed in a giant nappy, barely able to contain his girth, he is watching DVDs of his past triumphs.

Gérard is eating his tenth Horse steak and washing it down with a pail of wine from his Château de Tigné.